Therefore, I thought that by choosing The M Sport Package it includes The Dynamic Handling Package. One person says that's true, and another person says I still need to purchase the $1400 option to receive all the advantages of The Dynamic Handling Package.

If the second person is correct and one needs to spend the extra $1400 what exactly is one buying? If there are some extras coming with the $1400 it certainly seems like that one has to double pay for certain features- that makes no sense! This is as clear as mud.

Does "The Sports Suspension Delete" when choosing The M Sport Package relate to The Dynamic Handling Package option?

lbjgh is right -- you need to spend the $1400 to get all the features of DHP. And yes, you want DHP. It makes a huge difference in the car's handling and the quality of the ride.

I have it on my 35i. I was given a 28i loaner this morning that does not have DHP. By the time I got to work, I was ready to trade the car in! DHP adds a subtle quality to the ride, but it is a quality that is a complete bargain at $1400.

On a side note, the N20 engine in the 28i is very impressive. It doesn't have the off the line grunt that the 35i has, but it provides reasonable torque and works very well.

lbjgh is right -- you need to spend the $1400 to get all the features of DHP. And yes, you want DHP. It makes a huge difference in the car's handling and the quality of the ride.

I have it on my 35i. I was given a 28i loaner this morning that does not have DHP. By the time I got to work, I was ready to trade the car in! DHP adds a subtle quality to the ride, but it is a quality that is a complete bargain at $1400.

On a side note, the N20 engine in the 28i is very impressive. It doesn't have the off the line grunt that the 35i has, but it provides reasonable torque and works very well.

Can you describe the "subtle quality of the ride" DHP adds in greater detail? What do the Dynamic Dampers do? Thanks again.

I don't know if it's deception or carelessness on BMW's part, but I've never seen a more confusing package option for a car in my entire life. I called BMW's customer support and the woman was clueless. She said I should speak to a salesperson at the dealer about this- the sales people all describe this different ways!

Can you describe the "subtle quality of the ride" DHP adds in greater detail? What do the Dynamic Dampers do? Thanks again.

I don't know if it's deception or carelessness on BMW's part, but I've never seen a more confusing package option for a car in my entire life. I called BMW's customer support and the woman was clueless. She said I should speak to a salesperson at the dealer about this- the sales people all describe this different ways!

Well, judging ride quality is subjective, of course. I think the best way to describe it is you get three levels of refinement. Comfort gives a nice, compliant ride and easy steering. Sport gives a firmer ride, stiffer steering and higher throttle and shift points. Sport+ turns the car into a beast and everything gets much more aggressive. IMO, you just get a more stable, solid, but not jarring ride and you can select the mode depending on your preference and the road and driving conditions. Non-DHP is certainly a decent ride, but you get one setting that is somewhat firm. There are many on this board that prefer non-DHP and for good reason -- BMW has done a fabulous job of making the X3's ride one of the best in the business. DHP just adds more choice, more versatility and that little 'extra' when it comes to ride quality. I like to drive in Sport and my wife likes the ride in Comfort -- we can both be happy!

I agree with others that the marketing of this feature is really poorly done. It needs to be much more clear to buyers what the option is, what you get and why you would want it. I was able to test drive cars with and without the option, so making that comparison made the choice easier.

Well, judging ride quality is subjective, of course. I think the best way to describe it is you get three levels of refinement. Comfort gives a nice, compliant ride and easy steering. Sport gives a firmer ride, stiffer steering and higher throttle and shift points. Sport+ turns the car into a beast and everything gets much more aggressive. IMO, you just get a more stable, solid, but not jarring ride and you can select the mode depending on your preference and the road and driving conditions. Non-DHP is certainly a decent ride, but you get one setting that is somewhat firm. There are many on this board that prefer non-DHP and for good reason -- BMW has done a fabulous job of making the X3's ride one of the best in the business. DHP just adds more choice, more versatility and that little 'extra' when it comes to ride quality. I like to drive in Sport and my wife likes the ride in Comfort -- we can both be happy!

I agree with others that the marketing of this feature is really poorly done. It needs to be much more clear to buyers what the option is, what you get and why you would want it. I was able to test drive cars with and without the option, so making that comparison made the choice easier.

Sport Suspension Delete removes the sport suspension and makes the ride a bit soft (not bad, but not sporty). You should add DHP if you want a sporty ride. In Sport and Sport+, the car comes alive.

Thanks, but this makes no sense. The M Sport Package is supposed to give a sportier ride. You're saying that The M Sport Package gives a softer ride than the non- M Sport versions? They delete the Sport Suspension in The M Sport Package? Does this makes sense to anyone? I thought this meant that it was replaced with something sportier.

You're welcome. I just need to clear up one point. You still can select Eco-Pro, Comfort and Sport in a non-DHP X3. The settings will only change the throttle response and transmission shift points -- the ride quality will not change. You'll need DHP to be able to experience changes in the ride quality, too. I know, BMW makes it so clear!

You're welcome. I just need to clear up one point. You still can select Eco-Pro, Comfort and Sport in a non-DHP X3. The settings will only change the throttle response and transmission shift points -- the ride quality will not change. You'll need DHP to be able to experience changes in the ride quality, too. I know, BMW makes it so clear!

There are only 2 presets for suspension. Sport+ is the same as Sport with respect to suspension firmness and throttle. All Sport+ does is to turn off DSC

this seems unecessarily complex - but reading everything here i would go for the DHP option. At the very least, you have all variations of ability in your suspension and aren't wondering if it is "too hard or too soft."